Bird carving

Image search likes it for Ghana, a sankofa bird. This doesn’t give me a big urge to argue. I don’t see any others from Ghana with the neck ruffage, babies/eggs, or that kinda PNW eye. Not with the feathers on the breast carved how they are either. Granted I didn’t look at a million of them. Anyone disagree with Ghana? I did have a small sliver of hope it was PNW. I like it either way though.

 

It reminds me of "the Pelican in Her Piety".



The pelican (yes, I know, it doesn't look like our idea of a pelican) was thought to wound her own breast to feed her young with her blood, seen as symbolism for the sacrifice made by Jesus.

 

Interesting thought. I’ve had an item or two bearing a pelican in her piety. Never crossed my mind here! I do pick up what you’re laying down now. Not convinced that was the intention, but I certainly see it now.

 

That's a very nice bird, any way you look at it...Thanks!

 

I do. It is a bird carving from Elcho Island, Australia.

 

Elcho Island bird carvings:


https://www.allbids.com.au/c/antiqu...by-buruggurr-dhuwa-nyiwula-dhuwa-trib-1156950


https://www.theodorebruceauctions.c...-and-painted-bird-figure-by-garala_5A24630972

Most of you won't have heard of Elcho Island, so some info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elcho_Island

 

Hey, Elcho Island art is not to be sneezed at!
I had two Elcho Island T-shirts as a teen, would have loved to have a carved bird, but my pocket money wouldn't allow it.

Mind you, I did buy a Gloria Fletcher/Thancoupie bark painting, which I had saved for for years. Thancoupie was also kind enough to give me one of her ceramic pendants. She was a beautiful person with a big heart.

 

How interesting! Very unlikely I’d have come to this conclusion on my own! I’ll look forward to digging into a bit of reading on Elcho Island and its crafts tomorrow. You’re correct I’d never even heard of it. Thanks

 

Thanks! Glad you dig it. I fell for it immediately. Very elegant form for a relatively primitive carving. Great color too.

Sadly the base broke during shipping. The owner packed it pretty damn well for an amateur packer and the box wasn’t crushed. I think it must have had a natural weakness (or one that happened in production) and got banged just right. Luckily it was one piece and a clean break. Some super glue got it back together without a massive eye sore. Definitely takes a slice out of potential value though. I’m enjoying hanging it on display.

 

Similar birds originally topped some of Elcho Island's "totem poles", which had the same bright earthy colours and the fluff symbolizing stars. I used to see them when I lived in Oz, but can't find any photo's online.

In the link is a photo of "Morning Star Poles" (no birds), with some beckground info:
https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/stories/banumbirr-morning-star-poles-australia/